Selectively coordinated audio player system

ABSTRACT

A selectively coordinated audio playback system is disclosed. The audio playback system includes multiple audio players serving, receiving and rendering audio content audio content. A controller is in communication with the audio players and controls the audio content provided on each audio player. The controller includes a touchscreen user interface to receive user inputs and is configured to selectively coordinate the audio content from the multiple audio players according to gestures detected via the touchscreen interface.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in thissection are not prior art to the claims in this application and are notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Audio players can be situated in distinct regions of a home or otherstructure to provide playback in such distinct regions. Each of theaudio players can have its own amplifier(s) and one or more speakers andtypically installed in one place. For instance, one audio player systemcan be situated in a living room, while another is in a bedroom. Thus,separate regions/zones of the home can have separate audio players toplayback from the same or different audio sources. To playback an audiosource, the audio source is provided locally at each audio player, suchas via the Internet, local network server, attached storage, externalanalog audio input, a compact disc or a radio broadcast, etc. Thus, eachroom can provide the same or different audio content by separatelycontrolling the separate audio player systems. In some examples, asingle audio player system can include hardwired speakers in multiplerooms so as to create a unified audio environment in otherwiseacoustically separated rooms. For example, ceiling mounted speakers maybe provided throughout a home to play audio content from a single sourceof audio content.

Digital audio players can be configured to playback audio content from adigital source of audio content, such as a digital media file. Digitalaudio players can be a portable digital music player, a stationaryaudio-video receiver, a television, or a computer, and digital mediafiles can be stored locally on such devices or can be stored on a remoteserver that streams digital media files via the Internet.

SUMMARY

A user interface for dynamically managing audio playback from a systemof networked audio players includes a touch-sensitive display. Thetouch-sensitive display is used to detect gesture inputs and associatethe gesture inputs with arrangements for audio playback from the audioplayers. The system can be arranged to synchronously playback commonaudio content on a group of audio players or playback separate audiocontent on each audio player, or some combination. In some embodimentsof the present disclosure, a single gesture input, such as a draggesture, a splay gesture, a squeeze gesture, etc., can cause the systemto form a group of audio players for synchronous playback or editmembership of an existing group of audio players for synchronousplayback. For example, a single drag gesture input to the user interfacecan cause the system to form a group for synchronous playback withselectable members, add selectable players to an existing group, removeselectable players from an existing group, etc. Additionally oralternatively, a single squeeze or splay gesture input to the userinterface can cause the system to join all players in a single groupand/or remove all players from existing groups.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method forarranging a plurality of networked audio players according to input froma touch-sensitive display. The method can include instructing thetouch-sensitive display to portray a representation of at least aportion of the plurality of networked audio players. The method caninclude receiving data indicative of a gesture input via thetouch-sensitive display. The method can include associating the receiveddata with a gesture-indicated arrangement for audio playback from theplurality of networked audio players. The method can include instructingthe plurality of networked audio players to provide audio playbackaccording to the gesture-indicated arrangement. The method can includeinstructing the touch-sensitive display to portray a representation ofat least some of the plurality of networked audio players including anindication of the gesture-indicated arrangement.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method. The methodcan include detecting a gesture via a touch-sensitive display while thetouch-sensitive display displays a representation of at least some of aplurality of networked audio players. The method can include associatingthe detected gesture with a gesture-indicated arrangement for audioplayback from the plurality of networked audio players. The method caninclude instructing the plurality of networked audio players to provideaudio playback according to the gesture-indicated arrangement. Themethod can include displaying, via the touch-sensitive display, arepresentation of at least some of the plurality of networked audioplayers including an indication of the gesture-indicated arrangement.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system including aplurality of networked audio players and a controller. The plurality ofnetworked audio players can each be configured to playback audio contentaccording to network-delivered instructions. The controller can includea user interface having a touch-sensitive display. The controller can beconfigured to detect a gesture via the touch-sensitive display while thetouch-sensitive display portrays a representation of at least some ofthe plurality of networked audio players. The controller can beconfigured to associate the detected gesture with a gesture-indicatedarrangement for audio playback from the plurality of networked audioplayers. The controller can be configured to instruct the plurality ofnetworked audio players to provide audio playback according to thegesture-indicated arrangement. The controller can be configured todisplay a representation of at least some of the plurality of networkedaudio players including an indication of the gesture-indicatedarrangement for coordinated audio playback.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer readablemedium storing instructions that, when executed by one or moreprocessors in a computing device, cause the computing device to performoperations. The operations can include instructing a touch-sensitivedisplay to portray a representation of at least a portion of a pluralityof networked audio players. The operations can include receiving inputdata indicative of a gesture input via the touch-sensitive display. Theoperations can include associating the received data with agesture-indicated arrangement for audio playback from the plurality ofnetworked audio players. The operations can include instructing theplurality of networked audio players to provide audio playback accordingto the gesture-indicated arrangement. The operations can includeinstructing the touch-sensitive display to portray a representation ofat least some of the plurality of networked audio players including anindication of the gesture-indicated arrangement.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives, willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading thefollowing detailed description, with reference where appropriate to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of an audio content distributionsystem with multiple audio players providing audio content in accordancewith instructions from a controller.

FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of the controller including atouch-sensitive display user interface.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process for selectively grouping the playersto provide coordinated audio content based on gestures detected via thetouch-sensitive display user interface.

FIG. 3A is a flowchart of a process for creating a group via thetouch-sensitive display user interface.

FIG. 3B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display withoverlaid gesture indicators illustrating an example of the process forcreating a group.

FIG. 3C is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive displayfollowing creation of the group as indicated in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart of a process for adding players to a group viathe touch-sensitive display user interface.

FIG. 4B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid gesture indicators illustrating an example ofthe process for adding players to a group.

FIG. 4C is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive displayfollowing adding players to the group as indicated in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a process for joining all available players toa single group via the touch-sensitive display user interface.

FIG. 5B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid squeeze gesture indicators illustrating anexample of the process for joining all available players to a singlegroup.

FIG. 5C is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive displayfollowing grouping all available players as indicated in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart of a process for individually removing playersfrom a group via the touch-sensitive display user interface.

FIG. 6B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid gesture indicators illustrating an example ofthe process for individually removing a player from a group.

FIG. 6C is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid gesture indicators illustrating another exampleof the process for individually removing a player from a group.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart of a process for breaking all existing groups viathe touch-sensitive display user interface.

FIG. 7B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid splay gesture indicators illustrating an exampleof the process for breaking all existing groups.

FIG. 7C is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive displayfollowing breaking all existing groups as indicated in FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart of a process for ordering players on thetouch-sensitive display user interface.

FIG. 8B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid gesture indicators illustrating an example ofthe process for ordering players.

FIG. 8C is an example embodiment touch-sensitive display following theordering players as indicated in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process for dynamically adjusting groupsaccording to gestures detected via the touch-sensitive display userinterface.

FIG. 10 depicts a computer-readable medium configured according to anexample embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to a system for coordinateddistribution of audio content to a group of networked audio players. Thenetworked audio players are each configured to playback audio contentaccording to instructions from a controller. Additionally, the audioplayers can optionally include a user interface to enable local controlof the players and/or selection of audio content to be played on one ormore of the networked audio players. The audio content can be streamedvia the Internet, from a local server, hard drive, or flash memorydevice on the controller or another network-accessible location, or froman analog or digital audio source that is made network accessiblelocally. For example, a receiver can be arranged with audio outputsconnected to a network enabled device configured to convert and streaman audio stream to the networked audio players (e.g., AM or FM encodedradio audio content, satellite radio audio content, compact disc encodedaudio content, vinyl record audio content, etc.).

The controller includes a user interface suitable for browsing andselecting audio content for playback on the networked audio players froma variety of sources. The user interface also allows for selecting anarrangement for coordinated audio playback from the networked audioplayers. In some arrangements for audio playback, multiple audio playerscan play synchronized audio content. In some arrangements for audioplayback, multiple audio players can play different audio content. Inexamples where the networked audio players are located in distinct zonesof an audio environment (e.g., separate rooms of a building), separatecontrol over the audio players allows for selectable audio contentthroughout the audio environment. For example, all rooms on one level ofa home can be grouped for synchronous playback to create a unified audioenvironment, while rooms on another level can each playback differentaudio content, or none at all, while all are controlled from a singleuser interface.

In some embodiments, the controller and/or controller user interface canbe integrated with one or more of the networked audio players (e.g.,integrated within a cabinet of an audio players). Moreover, in someexamples, multiple controllers integrated with the one or more of thenetworked audio players and/or remotely located controllers can operatetogether to browse and select audio content for playback and to selectan arrangement for audio playback.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller includes atouch-sensitive display and is configured to detect gesture inputs.Gesture inputs may involve one or more fingers moving across the surfaceof the display (e.g., dragging a finger across the touch-sensitivedisplay). Gesture inputs may also involve one or more fingers contactingthe display (e.g., tapping the touch-sensitive display). Gesture inputscan be detected by sensing, for example, one or more fingers in motionwith respect to the touch-sensitive display. The controller canassociate the detected gesture inputs with arrangements for audioplayback and instruct the networked audio players to provide audiocontent according to the arrangement associated with the gesture. Forexample, a drag and drop gesture that drags a representation of oneaudio player to another can be associated with forming a group forsynchronized playback from the two players. In another example, a dragand drop gesture that drags a representation of an audio player in apre-existing group to a region not part of the pre-existing group can beassociated with removing the player from the pre-existing group andceasing playback on the player. In another example, a squeeze or pinchinward gesture can be associated with grouping all available playerstogether to provide synchronized playback across the entire audioenvironment. In another example, a splay or pinch outward gesture can beassociated with removing all available players from any pre-existinggroups and ceasing playback from all players.

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of an audio content distributionsystem 100 with multiple audio players playing audio content inaccordance with instructions from a controller 130. The audio playersare linked in an audio distribution network 110 and can receive audiocontent for playback from the Internet 102 and/or from a local network150. The controller 130 includes an interface to allow a user to selectaudio content to playback from each networked audio player andoptionally coordinate playback from a group of the networked audioplayers.

A first networked audio player 112 (“AP1”), a second networked audioplayer 114 (“AP2”), and a third networked audio player 116 (“AP3”) arenetwork connected in the audio distribution network 110. Each of theaudio players 112-116 is configured to output audio content (e.g., emitsound waves) according to instructions 131 from the controller 130. Theaudio players 112-116 can therefore include communication interfaces forinteracting with the audio distribution network 110, amplifiers forgenerating electrical driver signals based on the audio content (asindicated by the instructions 131), and speakers for creating soundwaves emitted from the player. The instructions 131 can be transmittedwirelessly to the audio distribution network 110 (e.g., via wireless orwired networks) and/or communicated through wires (e.g., via a cableconnected to the controller 130).

In some examples, the networked audio players 112-116 receive datastreams of audio content (e.g., web-streamed audio), and generateelectrical signals associated with the audio content. The electricalsignals can be used to drive an integrated speaker so as to generatesound waves based on the received data stream. In some examples, thenetworked audio players 112-116 can output electrical signals throughaudio cables to an external amplifier and/or external speaker, which canthen generate sound waves according to the electrical signals. In someexamples, the networked audio players generate sound waves based onaudio content that is locally stored or delivered (e.g., locally storeddigital audio or audio content received via an audio input jack on oneof the networked audio players 112-116).

The instructions 131 from the controller 130 can specify a source ofaudio content to be played on each of the audio players 112-116, and theaudio players 112-116 and/or specified sources of audio content can thenquery and deliver a stream of the specified audio content to therespective audio players 112-116 via the audio distribution network 110,Internet 102, and/or local network 150, etc. The instructions 131 canadditionally or alternatively include a stream of audio content to beplayed on one or more of the audio players 112-116, such as a stream ofaudio content stored locally on the controller 130 or streamed from theInternet 102, for example. In some instances, the instructions 131 canalso specify that some or all of the audio players 112-116 are groupedtogether for synchronized playback. In synchronized playback scenarios asynchronization signal can be provided from the controller 130 or fromone of the audio players 112-116, or a combination of these, etc. toinitiate playback of a specified portion of a buffered stream of audiocontent. Other techniques for synchronizing audio playback from multipleplayers can also be employed. While the audio distribution network 110is illustrated with three audio players 112-116, this is for purposes ofexplanation only; implementations of the system 100 can include an audiodistribution system with more than, or less than, three audio players,such as two, four, five, six, etc.

The audio distribution network 110 can include both wired and wirelesscommunication interfaces. The access point 120 can be a router and/orbridge for allowing the audio distribution network 110 to access theInternet 102, the controller 130, and/or a local network 150. The audiodistribution network 110 can be arranged by any network topologysufficient to allow communication of the instructions 131, and deliveryof audio data streams, to the audio players 112-116. For example, theaudio distribution network 110 can be arranged with peer-to-peer meshcommunications among the audio players 112-116, with a hub-and-spokeconfiguration centered at the access point 120, etc. In some examples,the audio players 112-116 can also serve as wireless signal repeaters toextend the effective range of the audio distribution network 110 and/orthe local network 150.

The local network 150 includes a personal computer 152, a networkedattached storage device 154 (“NAS”) and a communication module 156 fordigitizing and streaming audio content from a receiver 160. Thecommunication module 156 can receive output audio content from thereceiver 160 and dynamically generate a digital representation of theaudio content. The communication module 156 can also include a networkinterface and a memory for buffering digital audio content to becommunicated to the local network 150. In some embodiments, thecommunication module 156 and receiver 160 are implemented in a singleaudio player hardware module configured to stream audio content to thelocal network 150 and/or audio distribution network 110. The personalcomputer 152 can also provide digitized audio content to the localnetwork 150, either from an internal flash memory and/or hard drive, orfrom media, such as a compact disc, in the personal computer 152.Moreover, peripherals 153, such as USB-connected flash memory devices,external hard drives, etc., can be connected to the personal computer152 to provide digital audio content from the peripherals 153 to thelocal network 150. Moreover, similar peripherals storing digital audiocontent can be connected to one or more of the audio players 112-116(e.g., via a connection port included on the audio players 112-116). Thenetwork attached storage 154 can be a local server or network-connectedhard drive storing digital audio content that is made available to thelocal network 150.

The receiver 160 can output audio content from a variety of sources. Forexample, the receiver 160 can include a satellite radio antenna forreceiving streaming satellite radio content from a satellite source 166.The receiver 156 can receive audio content from physical media 164, suchas a compact disc, digital versatile disc, cassette tape, vinyl record,etc. The receiver 160 can also receive audio content from anamplitude-modulated and/or frequency-modulated radio broadcast 162.Other sources of audio content including non-digital sources (e.g.,analog sources) can be received via the receiver 160 and made availableto the local network 150 via the communication module 156.

While the local network 150 is illustrated and described in connectionwith a single personal computer 152, network attached storage 154, andcommunication module 156 with receiver 160, this configuration isprovided for purposes of explanation only; the present disclosure is notso limited. For example, multiple personal computers, network attachedstorages and/or communication modules with receivers can be included inthe local network 150. Furthermore, none of these items are required tobe present in the local network 150. For example, the local network 150need not include even a single personal computer 152, or even a singlenetwork attached storage device 154, etc.

The controller 130 is in communication with the local network 150 andthe audio distribution network 110. The controller 130 can be includedin the local network 150 and/or the audio distribution network 110. Thatis, the controller 130 can be a member of either the local network 150,the audio distribution network 110, or both. The controller 130 can alsobe in communication with the internet 102 either directly or via theaccess point 120. The controller 130 includes a user interface to allowfor browsing and/or searching available sources of audio content andselecting players in the audio distribution network 110 to playbackselected audio content. For example, a browsing and/or searching menucan allow for selecting among audio content available on the localnetwork 150 (e.g., from the personal computer 152, the network attachedstorage 154, the receiver 160). The controller 130 can be furtherconfigured to allow selection of one or more audio sources for playbackvia one or more of the audio players 112-116 in the audio distributionnetwork 110. For example, the controller 130 can provide instructions tothe audio distribution network 110 to a music file stored on the networkattached storage 154 to be played back via the first audio player 112while web-streamed audio content is played back via both the second andthird audio players 114, 116. In some embodiments, the controller 130can also provide instructions to synchronize playback among audioplayers providing the same audio content. Such synchronizationinstructions can include, for example, sending a timing signal thatindicates timing to initiate playback of a pre-determined bufferedportion of the audio content from all players. It is noted thatcommunication signals between the controller 130 and the networked audioplayers 112-116 (e.g., via the audio distribution network 110) caninclude multiple standardized communications useful to tracking thestatus of the players in the audio distribution network 110, such asintermittent status updates, queries for current status, requests forinformation, acknowledgement receipts, etc.

The local network 150 thus provides a source of audio content to beplayed via one or more of the audio players 112-116 in the audiodistribution network 110. However, other sources of audio content areavailable in addition to, or in lieu of, the local network 150. Forexample, web-streamed audio content can be delivered from the internet102 through the access point 120, directly to the audio distributionnetwork 110, without including any of the audio content sources presentin the local network 150. Web-streamed audio content can include, forexample, subscription-based services providing access to a musiccatalog, a privately held collection of cloud-hosted digital audiocontent, etc. In another example, audio content can be delivered to theaudio distribution network 110 from audio content locally stored and/ordynamically rendered by the controller 130. In another example, audiocontent can be delivered to the audio distribution network 110 fromaudio content locally stored on one of the audio players 112-116 or froman analog or digital source of audio content connected to one of theaudio players 112-116. Thus, some embodiments of the present disclosuremay be implemented without the local network 150, such as when audiocontent is delivered to the audio distribution network 110 from a sourceother than the local network 150.

A variety of network topologies may be employed to connect the networkedcomponents in the system 100. In some examples, the system 100 mayinclude both the audio distribution network 110 and the local network150 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. In other examples, the system 100 may beimplemented with a single network. For example, networked audio playerscan be joined to the local network 150. Additionally or alternatively,networked audio content sources (e.g., the personal computer 152) can bejoined to the audio distribution network 110.

FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of the controller 130 including atouch-sensitive display user interface 132. The controller 130 includesa user interface 132 for receiving user inputs. A processor 136instructs the user interface 132 to provide information to a user andreceives indications of user inputs. A network interface 138 allows thecontroller 130 to send and receive information to and from externalsources, such as the Internet 102, the audio distribution network 110,and/or the local network 150, etc. The network interface 138 can employwireless (e.g., networks configured according to the IEEE 802.11,802.15, 802.16, and 802.20 standard networks, including sub-groupsand/or updates to such standards; 3G and/or 4G cellular networks, etc.)and/or wired communication to allow communication of the instructions131 to the audio distribution network 110.

The processor 136 also communicates with a memory 140 that storesexecutable instructions 144. The memory 140 is a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium that can include, without limitation, magneticdisks, optical disks, organic memory, and any other volatile (e.g. RAM)or non-volatile (e.g. ROM) storage system readable by the processor 136.The memory 140 can also optionally store local audio content 142 and/oran indication of the current arrangement for audio playback 143 via theaudio distribution network 110. The local audio content 142 can providean additional source of audio content for playback on the audiodistribution network 110. The current arrangement for audio playback 143can indicate audio content being played back from each of the audioplayers 112-116 in the audio distribution network 110. Additionally oralternatively, the current arrangement for audio playback 143 canindicate groups among the audio players 112-116 for coordinated playbackof common audio content, such as synchronized playback from more thanone of the audio players 112-116. In some examples, data indicating thecurrent audio playback arrangement can be additionally or alternativelystored externally (e.g., on the local network 150 and/or audiodistribution network 110) so as to be accessible to the controller 130via the network interface 138.

The user interface 132 includes a touch-sensitive display 134 fordisplaying information to a user and receiving touch and/or gestureinputs. The touch-sensitive display 134 can include a display panel withan array of pixels configured to emit, transmit, and/or reflect lightaccording to display information (e.g., display driver signals). Such adisplay panel is not limited to particular display technology and caninclude, for example, liquid crystal elements, organic light emittingdiode elements, etc. The display panel can also include a detectionsystem sensitive to contact with the panel to detect touch inputs, whichcan optionally be integrated with the display panel. Such a detectionsystem is not limited to a particular technology and can include, forexample, a capacitive detection array sensitive to local changes incapacitance resulting from contact with and/or proximity to the display,a resistance detection array sensitive to local changes in resistanceresulting from contact with and/or proximity to the display, an opticaldetection system sensitive to light leakage from a layer of the displaypanel due to deflection resulting from contact with the display, etc.The touch-sensitive display 134 is not required to take any particularform factor or include any particular display and/or touch-detectiontechnology so long as the display and associated and/or integratedtouch-sensitive system function to detect touch inputs to the display.The user interface 132 can also optionally include additional user inputand/or interface components such as buttons, dials, indicator lights,voice prompts, voice commands, infrared receiving ports, etc.

Executable instructions 144 are stored in the memory 140 to be executedby the processor 136. The executable instructions 144 can include one ormore software-implemented modules for operating the controller 130 tofunction as described above: to allow searching/browsing of availableaudio content and selection of audio content to playback via the audiodistribution network 110 according to a user-configured arrangement. Thecontroller 130 can also be configured to control audio playback via theone or more networked audio players by providing audio playback controls(e.g., a play command to initiate playback, a pause or stop command tointerrupt playback, forward and reverse commands to skip songs, or jumpto different portions of a track, etc.).

A search/browse audio content module 149 is provided to allow forsearching and selecting available audio content on the local network150, the Internet 102, locally stored audio content 142, etc. Audiocontent from the Internet 102 can be associated with subscription audiostreaming services and the search/browse audio content module canoptionally allow for storing user passwords for such services to allowfor an integrated user interface to content from such providers. Audiocontent from the Internet 102 can also include Internet-delivered radiostreams, audio files resident on a server not connected to the localnetwork 150, etc. A gesture recognition module 145 detects andidentifies gesture inputs received via the touch-sensitive display 134.For example, the gesture recognition module 145 can detect a drag orswipe gesture and output indications of start and stop points of thedrag gesture, with respect to the touch-sensitive display 134. Thegesture recognition module 145 can optionally detect multi-touchgestures such as a “squeeze” gesture where two or more touch points(e.g., fingers) simultaneously contact the touch-sensitive display 134and move closer together and/or a “splay” gesture where two or moretouch points (e.g., fingers) simultaneously contact the touch-sensitivedisplay 134 and move apart.

A display playback arrangement module 146 provides display instructionsto the touch-sensitive display 134 (e.g., display driver signals). Thedisplay can be driven to portray a representation of the available audioplayers (e.g., the audio players 112-116) in a manner that indicates thecurrent arrangement for audio playback. For example, each audio playercan be represented as an icon with a visually distinctive borderencompassing text labels and/or images identifying the audio player andaudio content currently playing on the audio player. For audio playersgrouped together for synchronized playback, the display playbackarrangement module 146 can provide display instructions that cause thedisplay panel to portray a visually distinctive border surrounding therepresentations of all audio players in the group. Text labels and/orimages can be included within the border indicating the group to labelthe group and identify any audio content currently playing on the audioplayers in the group. Additionally or alternatively, representations ofgrouped audio players can be color coordinated according to their groupmembership, or otherwise visually indicated to allow a user to interpretgroup membership of the players 112-116.

A playback instruction/synchronization module 147 generates theinstructions 131 to one or more of the audio players 112-116 in theaudio distribution network 110 to cause the audio players to playbackaudio content according to the current audio playback arrangement 143.The instructions 131 can be communicated to the audio distributionnetwork 110 and/or the local network 150 via the network interface 138.The instructions 131 from the playback instruction/synchronizationmodule 147 can include indications of audio content to be played by eachaudio player in the audio distribution network 110. For example, theinstructions 131 can indicate an audio file (or series of audio files)to play and location(s) of the file on the local network 150 and/orInternet 102, etc. The instructions 131 can also synchronize playbackamong audio players in a group. For example, the instructions 131 caninclude a timing signal for each player in a group to initiate playbackof an audio file or to play an identified buffered portion of astreaming audio file. However, other approaches for instructingsynchronized playback can also be employed.

An update playback arrangement module 148 receives an indication of agesture detected/identified via the gesture recognition module 145 andassociates the gesture with a modified arrangement for audio playback.Modified arrangements for audio playback can include forming a newgroup, deleting a pre-existing group, and/or revising membership in apre-existing group. For example, a gesture that drags a representationof one audio player to another audio player can be associated with aninstruction to form a new group from the dragged audio player and thedragged-to audio player. In another example, a gesture that drags arepresentation of a grouped audio player out of its group can beassociated with a user instruction to remove the dragged audio playerfrom the group. Further examples of gestures that can be associated witharrangements for audio playback are discussed herein in connection withFIGS. 3-9. Once a new, modified arrangement for audio playback isidentified via the module 148, the indication of the current audioplayback arrangement 143 is updated to reflect the change and theplayback instruction/synchronization module 147 generates instructionsto the audio distribution network 110 to reflect the modifiedarrangement.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the arrangementfor audio playback, including membership in groups for synchronizedplayback, can be dynamically configured according to gesture inputs fromthe touch-sensitive display 134. In an example operation, thesearch/browse audio content module 149 can be employed to select audiocontent for playback on one or more of the audio players 112-116 in theaudio distribution network 110. The display playback arrangement module146 can cause the touch-sensitive display 134 to portray the currentarrangement for audio playback (e.g., a list of available playersincluding indications of currently playing audio content and any groupedarrangements among players). The gesture recognition module 145 candetect a gesture input received via the touch-sensitive display 134. Theupdate playback arrangement module 148 can associate the gesture with amodified arrangement for audio playback from the audio distributionnetwork 110.

For example, the update playback arrangement module 148 can associate areceived gesture with an arrangement that forms a new group forsynchronized playback, deletes a pre-existing group for synchronizedplayback, and/or revises membership in a pre-existing group. Theplayback instruction/synchronization module 147 can then generateinstructions 131 for playback according to the modified arrangement foraudio playback determined in the update playback arrangement module 148.The instructions 131 can be communicated via the network interface 138to the audio distribution network 110 and/or the local network 150 toinstruct the audio players 112-116 to provide audio playback accordingto the modified arrangement. In some examples, data indicating thecurrent arrangement for audio playback is stored locally (143) in thememory 140 of the controller 130, but can also be stored externally(e.g., on a memory located on the local network 150 and/or audiodistribution network 110) so as to be accessible to the controller 130via the network interface 138. The display playback arrangement module146 can then cause the display panel to portray the modified arrangementfor audio playback, reflecting any changes in audio content and/orgroups for synchronized playback.

The software implemented modules are described separately according tothe functions of each for purposes of convenience in explanation.However, it is noted that one or more of the separately describedmodules can be combined together in a single set of executable codeinstructions. Similarly, any of the software modules can be divided inseparate sets of executable code instructions that can be combinedtogether to provide the functions described. Moreover, it is noted thatat least some of the functions described herein as software-implementedcan be implemented via hardware components, such as logic-basedcircuits, etc.

The controller 130 can be implemented in a variety of form factors. Insome instances, the controller 130 can be implemented as an application(e.g., software) operating on a handheld computing device, such as aphone, portable digital music player, tablet computing device, or otherhandheld computing platform with wireless network connectivity. In someembodiments, the controller 130 can be implemented as a standalonespecial purpose computing device (e.g., hardware) including atouch-sensitive display user interface. In some embodiments, thecontroller 130 can be implemented in a computing device that is notconfigured to be handheld and/or portable, such as a module with atouch-sensitive display user interface that is hardwired to provide apower supply and network connectivity, for example.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process 200 for selectively grouping audioplayers to provide coordinated audio content according to agesture-indicated playback arrangement. The touch-sensitive display 134is instructed to portray a representation of networked audio playersindicating the current playback arrangement (202). The displayinstructions (e.g., display driver signals) can be generated by, forexample, the display playback arrangement module 146. The portrayal ofthe current playback arrangement can include a representation for eachavailable audio player (or a subset of available audio players) arrangedto indicate audio content playing on each and any groups among theplayers. Each audio player can be associated with a non-overlappingregion of the display panel and the regions associated with each audioplayer can optionally be surrounded by a visually distinctive border.The region can include text and/or images to associate the region of thedisplay with a particular audio player.

Data is received indicating a gesture input to the touch-sensitivedisplay (204). The data can be provided by, for example, the gesturerecognition module 145. The data includes information to specify thegesture received via the touch-sensitive display, such as informationcharacterizing the path traced on the touch-sensitive display 134 by aswipe or drag gesture and/or the speed of any such swiping or dragging.The data can also indicate multi-touch gestures, such as a pinch,squeeze, splay, expand, minimize, tap etc.

The data indicating the received gesture is associated with agesture-indicated playback arrangement (206). The association with aplayback arrangement can be carried out by, for example, the updateplayback arrangement module 148. In some embodiments, a drag gesture isused to move an audio player into or out of a group for synchronizedplayback. Individual audio players can be associated with distinctnon-overlapping regions of the touch-sensitive display and audio playerscan be dynamically configured in groups (or removed from groups)according to origination and termination points of drag gestures. Theorigination point of a drag gesture can be the point of first contact bya single touch point on the touch-sensitive display 134. The terminationpoint of a drag gesture can be the final point of contact followingsubstantially continuous contact as the single touch point is sweptacross the touch-sensitive display. The origination and terminationpoints can each be associated either with an audio player or with agroup of audio players. In some embodiments, drag gestures that drag anungrouped audio player to another audio player cause the two players tobe grouped together for coordinated (“synchronized”) playback. In someembodiments, drag gestures that drag an ungrouped player to apre-existing group cause the dragged player to be added to the group. Insome embodiments, drag gestures that drag a grouped player outside ofits group cause the player to be removed from the group. Examples ofassociating a gesture with a modified playback arrangement are describedherein in connection with FIGS. 3-9.

The audio players are instructed to provide audio playback according tothe gesture-indicated playback arrangement (208). Instructions 131 canbe generated by, for example, the playback instruction/synchronizationmodule 147. The touch-sensitive display 134 is instructed to portray arepresentation of the networked audio players indicating thegesture-indicated playback arrangement (210). Similar to block 202, thedisplay instructions (e.g., display driver signals) can be generated by,for example, the display playback arrangement module 146. The portrayalprovided at block 210 can include modifications in the arrangement ofthe representations of each audio player to reflect thegesture-indicated arrangement for audio playback, including any updatesin group membership, etc.

As discussed herein, a drag (“swipe”) gesture is characterized accordingto the origination and termination locations of the gesture on thetouch-sensitive display 134. When the touch-sensitive display portraysrepresentations of available audio players in distinct regions of thedisplay panel, the origination and terminal points can each beassociated with an available audio player and/or a group of audioplayers. Thus, the present disclosure refers to “dragged audio players”as audio players associated with the origination position of a draggesture. Similarly, the present disclosure refers to “dragged-to audioplayers” as audio players associated with terminal position of a draggesture. In addition, for convenience in explanation, the presentdisclosure also refers to dragging audio players to other audio playersto describe an operation where a drag gesture originates at a positionof the display associated with one audio player and terminates at aposition of the display associated with another audio player.

FIG. 3A is a flowchart of a process for creating a group via thetouch-sensitive display user interface. A gesture is identified asdragging a first ungrouped networked audio player to a second networkedaudio player (302). The drag gesture can be identified and associatedwith the first and second ungrouped networked audio players by, forexample, the update playback arrangement module 148. The origination andtermination locations of the drag gesture can be associated withdistinct regions of the touch-sensitive display associated with thefirst and second networked audio players, respectively. A group isformed for synchronous playback that includes the first and secondnetworked audio players (304), which can also be implemented by, forexample, the update playback arrangement module 148. Data indicating theupdated arrangement for audio playback (143) can be stored in the memory140 or another location accessible to the controller 130. Audio playbackfrom the first and second networked audio players in the new group issynchronized with audio previously playing on the first audio player(306). Thus, the audio content on the first player can be extended tothe second player. In some embodiments, a program setting can cause theaudio content synchronously played on the new group to be audio contentpreviously playing on the second audio player. Additionally oralternatively a user prompt can be generated to allow selection of audiocontent for playback on the new group.

FIG. 3B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display withoverlaid gesture indicators illustrating an example of the process forcreating a group. A screenshot 311 portrays a representation of multipleaudio players each associated with a distinct audio zone (e.g., a roomor outdoor listening area of a home). The screenshot 311 also includesaudio control features including a mute button 332, a volume control bar334 and a pause button 336. The audio control features are provided forpurposes of illustration only and some embodiments of the presentdisclosure can optionally provide greater or fewer audio controlfeatures, or even none at all.

In the example embodiment provided for explanation purposes, there aresix separately controllable audio players each associated with aseparate audio zone of a house. A kitchen listening zone is representedby a region of the display (320) surrounded by a visually distinctiveborder. The kitchen region 320 also includes an image icon 320 a, whichcan be an image of the kitchen room or another optionally user-selectedimage associated with the kitchen. A text room identifier 320 b labelsthe region 320 as “Kitchen,” and an audio source identifier 320 c labelsthe audio source for playback as “Satellite Radio-Station.” Theidentifiers 320 a-b allow a user to associate the region 320 of thedisplay with a networked audio player in the kitchen and the identifier320 c indicates the current playback audio source on that audio player.Additional rooms and substantially distinct acoustic regions arerepresented by a family room region 322, a porch region 324, a deckregion 326, a pool region 328, and a patio region 330. In the exampleprovided, some of the rooms are not currently playing back audiocontent, as indicated by the absence of an audio source indicator in theporch region 324 and patio region 330, for example. The regions 320-330representing each of the available audio players can be defined bynon-overlapping visually distinctive boundaries to allow a user toassociate regions within each boundary with the rooms indicated by thetext and/or image indicators (e.g., the indicators 320 a, 320 b).

In addition, gesture indicators are included to indicate a drag gesture.The origination pointer 340 illustrates a single touch point on thetouch-sensitive display 134 in the deck region 326. The touch pointindicated by the origination pointer 340 is the origination location ofa drag gesture that is dragged along a path 342 to terminate at thetermination location indicated by the termination pointer 344. Thetermination location is a single touch point on the touch-sensitivedisplay 134 in the pool region 328. Thus the gesture indicators 340-344illustrate a drag gesture that originates in the deck region 326 andterminates in the pool region 328.

It is noted that the gesture indicators 340-344 (and similar gestureindicators illustrated elsewhere herein) are provided for illustrationpurposes only and do not in any way limit the form of the gesture inputthat can be interpreted by the system 100. For example, while theorigination and termination pointers 340, 344 are illustrated as a righthand with index finger extended, an actual gesture can be input by auser's left ring finger, for example, and whereas the path 342 takes agenerally straight line, an actual gesture path can have multiple curvesand even loops. In sum, the touch gesture indicators 340-344 illustratea drag gesture includes a single touch point (as indicated by the singleextended finger) with an origination point 326 in the deck region 326and a termination location in the pool region 328.

The drag gesture illustrated by the indicators 340-344 is detected viathe gesture detection module 145. The update playback arrangement module148 associates the gesture with forming a new group including networkedaudio players at the deck and pool. The playbackinstruction/synchronization module 147 generates instructions 131 to thedeck and pool audio players to synchronously playback the audio contentpreviously playing on the deck audio player (the dragged player).Alternatively, the procedure can be carried out to generate instructions131 to the deck and pool audio players to synchronously playback audiocontent previously playing on the pool audio player (the dragged-toplayer). The behavior to select playback audio content previouslyplaying on the dragged player or the dragged-to player can be setaccording to a user-adjustable setting, a dynamically generated userprompt, etc.

FIG. 3C is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive displayfollowing creation of the group as indicated in FIG. 3B. A screenshot312 shows the display following the creation of the group. The deck andpool audio players are represented by a deck region 352 and a poolregion 354, respectively. Each of the deck and pool regions 352, 354include a visually distinctive border encompassed by an outside groupregion 350. The outside group region 350 represents the newly formedgroup in response to the gesture illustrated in FIG. 3B. The outsidegroup region includes a text identifier 350 a and an audio sourceindicator 350 b to allow a user to associate the group region 350 withthe group including both the deck and pool and to identify the audiocontent being played in the group. In some examples one or more imagescan be included to indicate the group and/or audio source, such as analbum cover, logo associated with an audio stream, etc. The outsidegroup region 350 includes a visually distinctive border that canoptionally entirely encompass the borders of the deck and pool regions352, 354 to visually indicate that the group 350 includes both the deckaudio player and the pool audio player.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart of a process 400 for adding audio players to agroup via the touch-sensitive display user interface. A gesture isidentified as dragging a first ungrouped networked audio player to agroup (402). The drag gesture can be identified and associated with thefirst and second ungrouped networked audio players by, for example, theupdate playback arrangement module 148. The origination and terminationlocations of the drag gesture can be associated with distinct regions ofthe touch-sensitive display associated with the first audio players andthe group, respectively. The first audio player is added to the group(404), which can also be implemented by, for example, the updateplayback arrangement module 148. Data indicating the updated arrangementfor audio playback (143) can be stored in the memory 140 or anotherlocation accessible to the controller 130. Audio playback from thesupplemented group is synchronized with audio previously playing on thegroup (406). In some embodiments, a program setting can cause the audiocontent synchronously played on the supplemented group to be audiocontent previously playing on the dragged audio player. Additionally oralternatively a user prompt can be generated to allow selection of audiocontent for playback on the supplemented group.

FIG. 4B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid gesture indicators illustrating an example ofthe process for adding players to a group. A screenshot 411 shows thegroup region 350 described previously in connection with FIG. 3C.Gesture indicators 420-424 illustrate a drag gesture originating in theporch region 324 and terminating in the group region 350. Theorigination pointer 420 indicates that the drag gesture originates witha single touch point in the porch region 324; and the terminationpointer 424 indicates that the drag gesture terminates with a singletouch point in the outside group region 350. The path 422 indicates thatthe drag gesture starts in the porch region 324 and ends in the outsidegroup region 350.

The drag gesture illustrated by the indicators 420-424 is detected viathe gesture detection module 145. The update playback arrangement module148 associates the gesture with adding the networked audio player at theporch to the previously formed group including the deck and pool audioplayers. The playback instruction/synchronization module 147 generatesinstructions 131 to the porch, deck, and pool audio players tosynchronously playback the audio content previously playing on the group(the deck and pool audio players).

FIG. 4C is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive displayfollowing adding players to the group as indicated in FIG. 4B. Ascreenshot 412 shows the display following adding the porch audio playerto the group. An enlarged outside group region 430 includes a visuallydistinctive border surrounding representations of the players in thegroup. A text group identifier 430 a and an audio source identifier 430b allow a user to associate the enlarged group region 430 with anoutside group of audio players and identify the audio content beingplayed on the players in the group. The porch audio player isrepresented by a porch region 432, and the deck and pool audio playersare represented by a deck region 434 and a pool region 436,respectively. In some examples one or more images can be included toindicate the group and/or audio source, such as an album cover, logoassociated with an audio stream, etc. The outside group region 430includes a visually distinctive border that can optionally entirelyencompass the borders of the porch, deck, and pool regions 432-436 tovisually indicate the membership of the outside group.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a process 500 for joining all availableplayers to a single group via the touch-sensitive display userinterface. A gesture is identified as a squeeze or pinch gesture (502).The gesture recognition module 145 can identify the squeeze or pinchgesture based on two or more points of contact that are initially apartand move generally together on the touch-sensitive display 134. Forexample a thumb and one or more fingers can contact the display whilespread apart and then be brought together while the thumb and one ormore fingers are in substantially continuous contact with thetouch-sensitive display 134. The squeeze gesture can be identified andassociated with combining all available audio players into a singlegroup by, for example, the update playback arrangement module 148. Allavailable players are combined to form the group (504), which can alsobe implemented by, for example, the update playback arrangement module148. Creating the single group of all available players can optionallyinclude deleting any pre-existing groups. Data indicating the updatedarrangement for audio playback (143) can be stored in the memory 140 oranother location accessible to the controller 130. Audio playback fromthe created single group is synchronized (506). In some instances, theaudio content played on all players in the single group is audio contentpreviously playing on the most-recently selected player (e.g., an activeplayer). In some embodiments, the most-recently selected player (“activeplayer”) can be a player displayed at the top (or other pre-determinedlocation) of the list of available audio players on the touch-sensitivedisplay. The most-recently selected player can additionally oralternatively be a player most recently selected to adjust volume and/orselect a source of audio content for playback. Additionally oralternatively a user prompt can be generated to allow selection of audiocontent for playback on the created group of all available players.

FIG. 5B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid squeeze gesture indicators illustrating anexample of the process for joining all available players to a singlegroup. A screenshot 511 shows representations of the available audioplayers 320-330. Gesture indicators 520, 522 illustrate a squeezegesture. The open hand 520 illustrates an initial portion of a squeezegesture where a hand is open with multiple points of contact with thedisplay. The closed hand 522 illustrates a final portion of a squeezegesture where the hand is closed, and the fingers contacting the displayare brought together. The squeeze gesture can be detected by, forexample, the gesture detection module 145. The gesture can be associatedwith an arrangement where all players are grouped together forsynchronized play by, for example, the update playback arrangementmodule 148. A single group including all available players can beformed, and an indication of the updated group membership can be stored(143) in the memory 140 or another accessible location. The players inthe new group (i.e., all available players) synchronously playback thesame audio content from each player (e.g., via instructions 131generated by the playback instruction/synchronization module 147).

FIG. 5C is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive displayfollowing grouping all available players as indicated in FIG. 5B. Ascreenshot 512 shows the display after forming the single group. Thedisplay includes a group region 530 with a visually distinctive borderencompassing non-overlapping regions associated with each of the audioplayers in the group. A kitchen region 532 is associated with thekitchen audio player; a family room region 534 is associated with thefamily room audio player; a porch region 536 is associated with theporch audio player; a deck region 538 is associated with the deck audioplayer; a pool region 540 is associated with the pool audio player; anda patio region 542 is associated with a patio audio player. Theall-player group region 530 includes a text indicator 530 a and an audiosource indicator 530 b to label the group and indicate the audio sourcebeing played back by the players in the group. Joining all availableaudio players for synchronous playback of a common audio content source,as described in connection with FIGS. 5B and 5C, can be referred to as a“party mode.”

FIG. 6A is a flowchart of a process 600 for individually removingplayers from a group via the touch-sensitive display user interface. Agesture is identified as dragging a grouped networked audio player to aregion of the display not associated with its group (602). The draggesture can be identified and associated with the grouped audio playersby, for example, the update playback arrangement module 148. Theorigination and termination locations of the drag gesture can beassociated with distinct regions of the touch-sensitive displayassociated with the first audio player and a region not associated withthe group, respectively. The first audio player is removed from thegroup (604), which can also be implemented by, for example, the updateplayback arrangement module 148. Data indicating the updated arrangementfor audio playback (143) can be stored in the memory 140 or anotherlocation accessible to the controller 130. Audio playback from theremoved player is ceased (606). Where the revised group includesmultiple audio players, even after removing the first audio player,playback on the remaining players can continue uninterrupted. Where therevised group includes a single audio player after removing the firstaudio player, playback on the remaining player can continueuninterrupted or can be ceased. In some embodiments, a user-adjustableprogram setting or a dynamically generated user prompt can cause theaudio content on remaining players to either cease or continueuninterrupted.

FIG. 6B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid gesture indicators illustrating an example ofthe process for individually removing a player from a group. Ascreenshot 611 shows the group region 350 described previously inconnection with FIG. 3C. Gesture indicators 620-624 illustrate a draggesture originating in the deck region 352 and terminating in a locationoutside the group region 350. An origination pointer 620 indicates thatthe drag gesture originates with a single touch point in the deck region352, which is itself encompassed in the group region 350. A terminationpointer 624 indicates that the drag gesture terminates with a singletouch point not in the group region 350 (e.g., at a location outside thevisually distinctive boundary of the group region 350). The path 622indicates that the drag gesture starts in the deck region 352 and endsoutside the group region 350.

The drag gesture illustrated by the indicators 620-624 is detected viathe gesture detection module 145. The update playback arrangement module148 associates the gesture with removing the networked audio player atthe deck from the group including the deck and pool audio players. Theupdate playback arrangement module 148 can then delete the outsidegroup, because removing the deck audio player leaves only the pool audioplayer. The playback instruction/synchronization module 147 can generateinstructions 131 conveyed to the deck and pool audio players to ceaseplayback on the deck and pool audio players. The instructions 131 canoptionally specify that playback continue uninterrupted on one or bothof the deck or pool audio players, as specified by a user setting and/oruser prompt.

FIG. 6C is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid gesture indicators illustrating another exampleof the process for individually removing a player from a group. Ascreenshot 612 shows the group region 350 described previously inconnection with FIG. 3C. Gesture indicators 630-634 illustrate a swipegesture originating at one side of the deck region 352 and moving acrossthe deck region 352 to expose a remove button 640. An originationpointer 630 indicates that the swipe gesture originates with a singletouch point at one side of the deck region 352. A termination pointer634 indicates that the swipe gesture terminates with a single touchpoint closer to an opposite side of the deck region 352. The path 632indicates that the swipe gesture moves from left to right and issubstantially contained within the deck region (e.g., the path 632 ofthe swipe gesture does not travel significantly out of the boundary ofthe deck region 352).

The swipe gesture illustrated by the indicators 630-634 is detected viathe gesture detection module 145. Upon recognizing the swipe gesture,the remove button 640 is revealed. In some embodiments, the removebutton 640 can be revealed only for a set duration following recognitionof a swipe gesture. If the remove button 640 is pressed, the updateplayback arrangement module 148 associates the swipe gesture andsubsequent press of the remove button 640 with an instruction toremoving the networked audio player at the deck from the group includingthe deck and pool audio players. The update playback arrangement module148 can then delete the outside group, because removing the deck audioplayer leaves only the pool audio player. The playbackinstruction/synchronization module 147 can generate instructions 131conveyed to the deck and pool audio players to cease playback on thedeck and pool audio players. The instructions 131 can optionally specifythat playback continue uninterrupted on one or both of the deck or poolaudio players, as specified by a user setting and/or user prompt.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart of a process 700 for breaking all existing groupsvia the touch-sensitive display user interface. A gesture is identifieda splay gesture (702). The gesture recognition module 145 can identifythe splay gesture based on two or more points of contact that areinitially together and move generally apart on the touch-sensitivedisplay 134. For example a thumb and one or more fingers can contact thedisplay while together and then be spread apart while the thumb and oneor more fingers are in substantially continuous contact with thetouch-sensitive display 134. The splay gesture can be identified andassociated with removing all players from any existing groups and/ordeleting any existing groups and ceasing playback from all players,which can be implemented by, for example, the update playbackarrangement module 148. All existing groups are deleted (704), which canalso be implemented by, for example, the update playback arrangementmodule 148. Data indicating the updated arrangement for audio playback(143) can be stored in the memory 140 or another location accessible tothe controller 130. Audio playback from the all players is ceased (706)by, for example, providing appropriate instructions 131 to the audioplayers via the playback instruction/synchronization module 147.

FIG. 7B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid splay gesture indicators illustrating an exampleof the process for breaking all existing groups. In some embodiments,the splay gesture can be used when all players are joined in a singlegroup (e.g., such as in the party mode discussed in connection with FIG.5 above), to break apart all players and delete the single group. Ascreenshot 711 shows representations of the available audio playersarranged in an all player group. The all player group region 530includes indications of all available players. Gesture indicators 720,722 illustrate a splay gesture. The closed hand 720 illustrates aninitial portion of a splay gesture where a hand is closed with multiplepoints of contact with the display. The closed hand 722 illustrates afinal portion of a splay gesture where the hand is open, and the fingerscontacting the display are moved apart. The splay gesture can bedetected by, for example, the gesture detection module 145. The gesturecan be associated with an arrangement where all existing groups aredeleted and all playback is ceased by, for example, the update playbackarrangement module 148. The party group including all available playersis deleted, and an indication of the updated playback arrangement can bestored (143) in the memory 140 or another accessible location. Playbackcan be ceased from each audio player (e.g., via instructions 131generated by the playback instruction/synchronization module 147).Alternatively, where the splay gesture is used to break a group with allplayers (i.e., to stop party mode), playback can continue only on thesingle audio player that was active when the party mode group wasinitially formed. Such an active player can be, for example, the audioplayer at the top of the list of audio players on the touch-sensitivedisplay and/or the audio player most recently actively controlled priorto initiation of the party mode (e.g., the audio player for which asource of audio content, volume, etc., was most recently controlled).Thus, the splay gesture can cause the audio distribution network 110 torevert to a playback arrangement preceding the initiation of the partymode (e.g., an arrangement where only the most-recently active player isplaying back audio content). The splay gesture can thus be used to undocreation of a party mode group, by causing the system to revert back toits most recent playback arrangement preceding party mode.

FIG. 7C is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive displayfollowing breaking all existing groups as indicated in FIG. 7B. Ascreenshot 712 shows the display after deleting all groups and ceasingplayback. The display includes a representation of each audio player inan ungrouped, non-playing state. Each player is represented by adistinct region 730-740 of the touch-sensitive display and indicationsof currently playing audio content are absent from all regions toindicate no audio content is being played back by any of the players. Akitchen region 730 represents the kitchen player; a family room region732 represents the family room player; a porch region 734 represents theporch player; a deck region 736 represents the deck player; a poolregion 738 represents the pool player; and a patio region 740 representsthe patio player.

FIG. 8A is a flowchart of a process 800 for ordering players on thetouch-sensitive display user interface. A gesture is identified asdragging a first networked audio player to a region not associated withanother networked audio player (802). The region can be, for example, ata location between representations of available players and/or groups ofplayers. The location can be associated with a position on the displayeligible for portraying a representation of the display. For example,where each player is represented by a block in a matrix, the locationcan be associated with a position in the matrix; where each player isrepresented by a horizontal bar arranged in a vertical stack, thelocation can be associated with a position in the vertical stack(“list”) of bars. The drag gesture can be identified and associated withthe first networked audio player and the location on the display by, forexample, the update playback arrangement module 148. The origination andtermination locations of the drag gesture can be associated withdistinct regions (“locations”) of the touch-sensitive display associatedwith the first audio players and the position, respectively. The displayis updated with the first audio player re-positioned in the identifiedposition (804). Where the first networked audio players is an ungroupedplayer such that moving the player to a new position does not alsoinvolve moving the player out of its current group, the update to thedisplay can be implemented without changing the current playbackarrangement (804). In some embodiments, the audio playback can continuewithout interruption from all existing players according to the currentplayback arrangement while the position of the first audio player ismoved on the display according to the process 800. The process 800thereby allows a user to selectively position representations of audioplayers on the touch-sensitive display 134 to increase accessibilityand/or convenience in accessing particular audio players. For example, afrequently used audio player can be positioned near the top of thetouch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the current orderingand/or positions for each audio player representation can be stored in amemory, such as the memory 140 and/or another location accessible to thecontroller 130 via the network interface 138.

FIG. 8B is an example embodiment of the touch-sensitive display userinterface with overlaid gesture indicators illustrating an example ofthe process for ordering players. A screenshot 811 shows representationsof the available audio players 320-330. Gesture indicators 820-824illustrate a drag gesture originating in the deck region 326 andterminating at a location between the pool region 328 and the patioregion 330. The origination pointer 820 indicates that the drag gestureoriginates with a single touch point in the deck region 326; and thetermination pointer 824 indicates that the drag gesture terminates witha single touch point in a region located between the pool and patioregions 328, 330 (e.g., outside the visually distinctive borders of boththe pool and patio regions 328, 330). The path 822 indicates the generaldirection of the drag gesture. However, similar to the discussion ofpath indicators above, the particular path taken between the locationsindicated by the pointers 820, 824 need not be a straight line and canbe curved and/or include direction changes, etc.

The drag gesture illustrated by the indicators 820-424 is detected viathe gesture detection module 145. The gesture is associated withpositioning the deck region 326 in a position on the display associatedwith the end point of the drag gesture (e.g., between the pool and patioregions 328, 330). An indication of the position associated with thedeck region 326 and/or the other regions 320-330 can be stored in amemory for future reference. The display playback arrangement module 146updates the display to reflect the new position of the deck region 326indicated by the drag gesture.

FIG. 8C is an example embodiment touch-sensitive display following theordering players as indicated in FIG. 8B. A screenshot 812 showsrepresentations of the available players 320-330 following ordering theplayers. The position of the deck region 326 is updated to a locationbetween the pool region 328 and the patio region 330, rather thanbetween the porch region 324 and the pool region 328, as in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process 900 for dynamically adjusting groupsaccording to gestures detected via the touch-sensitive display 134. Arepresentation of available players is portrayed on the display panel ina manner that indicates the current playback arrangement (902). Thedisplay instructions can be provided by, for example, the displayplayback arrangement module 146. The display of the current playbackarrangement can include indications of audio content on each audioplayer and/or grouping arrangement among players, such as in the examplescreenshots provided in FIGS. 3-8. A gesture input is detected via thetouch-sensitive display 134 (904). The gesture (e.g., drag, splay,squeeze, etc.) can be detected, identified, and/or characterized by, forexample, the gesture detection module 145.

The detected gesture is characterized and actions are carried out tomodify a playback arrangement according to the detected gesture. Forconvenience in explanation the present disclosure refers to “dragging aplayer” to describe a drag gesture with an origination location in aregion of the touch-sensitive display associated with the player.Similarly, the present disclosure refers to “dropping in a player” (or“dropping in a group,” etc.) to describe a drag gesture with atermination location in a region of the touch-sensitive displayassociated with the player (or group, etc.).

The gesture is evaluated to determine modifications to the playbackarrangement based on the gesture, if any. The evaluation can beperformed by, for example, the update playback arrangement module 148.Where the gesture includes dragging an ungrouped player (906) to anotherungrouped player (908), a new group is formed with the dragged anddragged-to player (910). The memory indicating the current playbackarrangement 143 can be updated to reflect the new group. The audiocontent on the new group is synchronized (910), which can be performedby, for example, the playback instruction/synchronization module 147.The audio content played back synchronously on the new group can be theaudio content previously playing the dragged player. The audio contentprovided on the new group can alternatively be the audio contentpreviously playing on the dragged-to player. In some examples, a programsetting and/or user prompt is provided to indicate which audio contentshould be synchronously played back on the newly formed group.Additionally or alternatively, the user interface 132 can prompt a userto select audio content to playback from the newly formed group, such asin cases where no audio content is previously playing from either thedragged or dragged-to players. The synchronization process can includeceasing playback of currently playback on one or both players to allowfor the selected audio content to be synchronized. The display isupdated to reflect the change in group membership (902). The procedurefor forming a new group can be similar to the description of the process300 in connection with FIG. 3 above.

Where the gesture includes dragging an ungrouped player (906) to apre-existing group (912), the dragged player is added to the dragged-togroup (914). The indication of the current playback arrangement 143 canbe updated to reflect the change in group membership. The audio contenton the supplemented group can be synchronized (e.g., according toinstructions 131 generated by the playback instruction/synchronizationmodule 147) so as to play audio content already playing on thedragged-to group. The controller 130 can additionally or alternativelybe configured to provide a user prompt to select audio content for thesupplemented group and/or be configured to synchronize with audiocontent on the dragged player rather than the dragged-to group, forexample. The display is updated to reflect the change in groupmembership (902). The procedure for supplementing a group can be similarto the description of the process 400 in connection with FIG. 4 above.

Where the gesture includes dragging an ungrouped player (906) to aposition on the display not associated with a player or group (916)(e.g., between players or groups), the representation of the draggedplayer can be re-located according to the dragged-to location (918). Thedisplay is updated to reflect the change in player location (902). Insome embodiments, an indication of the location of each audio playerrepresentation on the display can be stored in memory (e.g., the memory140 and/or another memory location accessible to the controller 130 viathe network interface 138). The stored indication of audio player order,such as a list order, can then be used to display the available audioplayers in a manner that retains a user preference for player ordering(e.g., via the display playback arrangement module 146). In someembodiments, commonly used audio players can be placed, for example,near the top of a list of audio players to be more convenientlyaccessed. The re-location procedure can allow a user to dragrepresentations of players so as to re-order the list of available audioplayers, similar to the discussion of the process 800 in connection withFIG. 8 above.

Where the gesture includes dragging an ungrouped player (906), but doesnot include dropping in another ungrouped player (908), dropping in apre-existing group (912), or dropping between players or groups in alocation associated with an available re-location position (916), thetouch-sensitive display continues to display available players andplayback arrangements (902) without modifying the playback arrangement.For example, where a drag gesture originates from a region associatedwith an ungrouped player (906), and terminates in a region of thetouch-sensitive display not associated with the players, groups, orpositions in the list of players/groups, such as a window of the displayproviding an entirely separate program, the playback arrangement is notupdated, and the display continues to display playback arrangementinformation (902) and detect subsequent gestures (904).

Where the gesture includes dragging a grouped player (920) to anotherungrouped player (922), the dragged player is removed from its group anda new group is formed with the dragged and dragged-to player (924). Thememory indicating the current playback arrangement 143 can be updated toreflect the new group membership. Where the dragged-from group includesonly one player after removing the dragged player, playback can cease onthe remaining player or can continue without interruption according to aprogram setting and/or user prompt. Where the dragged-from groupcontinues to include more than one player, even after removing thedragged player, audio content can continue to be played back on theremaining players without interruption. The audio content on the newgroup is synchronized (924 (e.g., according to instructions 131generated by the playback instruction/synchronization module 147) so asto play audio content already playing on dragged player. The controller130 can additionally or alternatively be configured to provide a userprompt to select audio content for the new group and/or be configured tosynchronize with audio content on the dragged-to player rather than thedragged player, for example. The display is updated to reflect thechange in group membership (902). The procedure for removing aselectable player from a group can be similar to the discussion of theprocess 600 in connection with FIG. 6 above.

Where the gesture includes dragging a grouped player (920) to anothergroup (926), the dragged player is removed from its original group andadded to the dragged-to group (928). The indication of the currentplayback arrangement 143 can be updated to reflect the change in groupmembership. Where the dragged-from group includes only one player afterremoving the dragged player, playback can cease on the remaining playeror can continue without interruption according to a program settingand/or user prompt. Where the dragged-from group continues to includemore than one player, even after removing the dragged player, audiocontent can continue to be played back on the remaining players withoutinterruption. The audio content on the supplemented group can besynchronized (e.g., according to instructions 131 generated by theplayback instruction/synchronization module 147) so as to play audiocontent already playing on the dragged-to group. The controller 130 canadditionally or alternatively be configured to provide a user prompt toselect audio content for the supplemented group and/or be configured tosynchronize with audio content on the dragged player rather than thedragged-to group, for example. The display is updated to reflect thechange in group membership (902). The procedure for removing aselectable player from a group can be similar to the discussion of theprocess 600 in connection with FIG. 6 above.

Where the gesture includes dragging a grouped player (920) to a positionon the display not associated with a player or group (930) (e.g.,between players or groups), the representation of the dragged player canbe re-located according to the dragged-to location (932). The draggedplayer is removed from its group (932). The indication of the currentplayback arrangement 143 can be updated to reflect the change in groupmembership. The display is updated to reflect the change in playerlocation and group membership (902). Although, the dragged player canalso be dropped in a location within its original group, but at alocation associated with a different location in the group region, inwhich case the dragged player is not removed from its group. Instead,the display can be updated (902) to reflect a new order of audio playerrepresentations within the group. In some embodiments, an indication ofthe location of each audio player representation on the display can bestored in memory (e.g., the memory 140 and/or another memory locationaccessible to the controller 130 via the network interface 138). Thestored indication of audio player order, such as a list order, can thenbe used to display the available audio players in a manner that retainsa user preference for player ordering (e.g., via the display playbackarrangement module 146). In some embodiments, commonly used audioplayers can be placed, for example, near the top of a list of audioplayers to be more conveniently accessed. The re-location procedure canallow a user to drag representations of players so as to re-order thelist of available audio players, similar to the discussion of theprocess 800 in connection with FIG. 8 above.

Where the gesture includes dragging a grouped player (920), but does notinclude dropping in another ungrouped player (922), dropping in anothergroup (926), or dropping between players or groups in a locationassociated with an available re-location position (930), thetouch-sensitive display continues to display available players andplayback arrangements (902) without modifying the playback arrangement.For example, where a drag gesture originates from a region associatedwith a grouped player (920), and terminates in a region of thetouch-sensitive display not associated with the players, groups, orpositions in the list of players/groups, such as a window of the displayproviding an entirely separate program, the playback arrangement is notupdated, and the display continues to display playback arrangementinformation (902) and detect subsequent gestures (904).

Where the gesture includes a squeeze or pinch gesture (934), allavailable players are grouped in a single group and the playback fromall players is synchronized (936). Where the playback arrangement priorto detecting the squeeze gesture includes one or more groups, the groupscan be automatically deleted to allow for creation of the new singlegroup that joins all available players. The audio content synchronouslyprovided by the new group can be audio content provided on themost-recently selected audio player or group. Of course, the userinterface 132 can additionally or alternatively be configured to providea user prompt to select audio content for the new group. The squeeze orpinch gesture can therefore provide a single gesture input to join allavailable audio players to synchronously playback common audio contentin a “party mode.” The display is updated to reflect the change in groupmembership (902). The procedure for grouping all players with a squeezeor pinch gesture can be similar to the discussion of the process 500 inconnection with FIG. 5 above.

Where the gesture includes a splay gesture (938), all existing groupsare deleted, and playback from all players is ceased (940). Detection ofthe splay gesture (938) causes all available players to be ungrouped andnot playing any music. The splay gesture can therefore provide a singlegesture input to turn off all playing music and reset the playbackarrangement of all available audio players to ungrouped. The display isupdated to reflect the change in group membership (902). The procedurefor grouping all players with a splay gesture can be similar to thediscussion of the process 700 in connection with FIG. 7 above.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a user interface with atouch-sensitive display provides an interface to allow a user todynamically configure a playback arrangement for a group of networkedaudio players. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a singlegesture input, such as a drag gesture, a splay gesture, a squeezegesture, pinch gesture, etc., can cause the system 100 to form a groupfor synchronous playback with selectable members, add selectable playersto an existing group, remove selectable players from an existing group,join all players in a single group, remove all players from existinggroups, etc. The present disclosure therefore provides for efficientlymanaging playback arrangements in a networked audio distribution system.

Furthermore, by providing for forming and/or editing groups via a singledisplay screen of available players that indicates group membership,representations of available players can be substantially continuouslydisplayed while groups are formed and/or edited without requiringadditional menus to appear on the touch-sensitive display 134. Such anefficient system for single-gesture-based playback arrangementmanagement contrasts with systems having multiple sub-menus. Forexample, a multi-step system can require a user to first select a playerto be a member of a group from a first window, which opens a new windowlisting available players to be joined to the first player, then selectfrom among players to join, and then returns to a view that allows forselection of audio content, etc.

FIG. 10 depicts a computer-readable medium configured according to anexample embodiment. In example embodiments, the example system caninclude one or more processors, one or more forms of memory, one or moreinput devices/interfaces, one or more output devices/interfaces, andmachine-readable instructions that when executed by the one or moreprocessors cause the system to carry out the various functions, tasks,capabilities, etc., described above.

As noted above, in some embodiments, the disclosed techniques can beimplemented by computer program instructions encoded on a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media in a machine-readable format, or onother non-transitory media or articles of manufacture (e.g., theexecutable instructions 144 stored on the memory 140 of the controller130). FIG. 10 is a schematic illustrating a conceptual partial view ofan example computer program product that includes a computer program forexecuting a computer process on a computing device, arranged accordingto at least some embodiments presented herein.

In one embodiment, the example computer program product 1000 is providedusing a signal bearing medium 1002. The signal bearing medium 1002 caninclude one or more programming instructions 1004 that, when executed byone or more processors can provide functionality or portions of thefunctionality described above with respect to FIGS. 1-9. In someexamples, the signal bearing medium 1002 can be a computer-readablemedium 1006, such as, but not limited to, a hard disk drive, a CompactDisc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, memory, etc. Insome implementations, the signal bearing medium 1002 can be a computerrecordable medium 1008, such as, but not limited to, memory, read/write(R/W) CDs, R/W DVDs, etc. In some implementations, the signal bearingmedium 1002 can be a communications medium 1010, such as, but notlimited to, a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., afiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wirelesscommunication link, etc.). Thus, for example, the signal bearing medium1002 can be conveyed by a wireless form of the communications medium1010.

The one or more programming instructions 1004 can be, for example,computer executable and/or logic implemented instructions. In someexamples, a computing device such as the controller 130 of FIGS. 1A and1B is configured to provide various operations, functions, or actions inresponse to the programming instructions 1004 and/or the executableinstructions 144 conveyed to the processor 136 by one or more of thecomputer readable medium 1006, the computer recordable medium 1008,and/or the communications medium 1010.

The non-transitory computer readable medium could also be distributedamong multiple data storage elements, which can be remotely located fromeach other. The computing device that executes some or all of the storedinstructions can be a handheld device, such as a personal phone, tablet,etc. Alternatively, the computing device that executes some or all ofthe stored instructions can be another computing device, such as aserver.

Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can bemade to the described embodiments, it is intended that all matters inthe preceding description and shown in the accompanying drawings beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Further, it isintended to be understood that the following clauses further describeaspects of the present disclosure.

(1) A method for arranging a plurality of networked audio playersaccording to input from a touch-sensitive display, the methodcomprising:

instructing the touch-sensitive display to portray a representation ofat least a portion of the plurality of networked audio players;

receiving data indicative of a gesture input via the touch-sensitivedisplay;

associating the received data with a gesture-indicated arrangement foraudio playback from the plurality of networked audio players;

instructing the plurality of networked audio players to provide audioplayback according to the gesture-indicated arrangement; and

instructing the touch-sensitive display to portray a representation ofat least some of the plurality of networked audio players including anindication of the gesture-indicated arrangement.

(2) The method according to clause (1), wherein the instructing thetouch-sensitive display is carried out such that representations of atleast a portion of the plurality of networked audio players aresubstantially continuously portrayed via the touch-sensitive displayduring the receiving input data, the associating the received data witha gesture-indicated arrangement, and the instructing the plurality ofnetworked audio players.

(3) The method according to clause (1) or (2), further comprising:

responsive to the gesture-indicated arrangement including forming orsupplementing one or more groups for coordinated playback, synchronizingaudio playback from ones of the plurality of networked audio playersassociated together in the formed or supplemented one or more groups;and

responsive to the gesture-indicated arrangement including removingnetworked audio players from pre-existing groups, ceasing playback fromones of the plurality of networked audio players removed from thepre-existing groups.

(4) The method according to any one of clauses (1) through (3), whereinthe received data indicates that the gesture includes dragging arepresentation of a first networked audio player to a region of thetouch-sensitive display associated with a second networked audio player,wherein the second networked audio player is not associated with apre-existing group, and

wherein the controller instructs the networked audio players accordingto the gesture-indicated arrangement by:

forming a new group for coordinated audio playback including the firstand second networked audio players, and

synchronizing audio playback from the first and second networked audioplayers in the new group.

(5) The method according to any one of clauses (1) through (3), whereinthe received data indicates that the gesture includes dragging arepresentation of a first networked audio player to a region of thetouch-sensitive display associated with a pre-existing group including asecond networked audio player and a third networked audio player, and

wherein the controller instructs the networked audio players accordingto the gesture-indicated arrangement by:

adding the first networked audio player to the pre-existing group, and

synchronizing audio playback from the first, second, and third networkedaudio players in the pre-existing group.

(6) The method according to any one of clauses (1) through (3), whereinthe received data indicates that the gesture includes a squeeze or pinchgesture, and

wherein the controller instructs the networked audio players accordingto the gesture-indicated arrangement by:

combining the plurality of networked audio players in a single group forcoordinated audio playback; and

synchronizing audio playback from the plurality of networked audioplayers.

(7) The method according to clause 6, further comprising:

following the synchronizing audio playback from the plurality ofnetworked audio players, receiving data indicative of a splay gesturevia the touch-sensitive display, and

instructing the plurality of networked audio players to revert toproviding audio playback according to a playback arrangement employedpreceding the single group for coordinated audio playback.

(8) The method according to any one of clauses (1) through (3), whereinthe received data indicates that the gesture includes dragging arepresentation of a first networked audio player included in apre-existing group to a region of the touch-sensitive display notassociated with the pre-existing group, and

wherein the controller instructs the networked audio players accordingto the gesture-indicated arrangement by:

removing the first networked audio player from the pre-existing group;and

ceasing audio playback from the first networked audio player.

(9) The method according to clause (8), wherein the pre-existing groupfurther includes a second networked audio player and a third audioplayer; and

wherein the controller further instructs the networked audio playersaccording to the gesture-indicated arrangement by:

ceasing audio playback from the first networked audio player withoutinterrupting audio playback from the second and third networked audioplayers in the pre-existing group.

(10) The method according to any one of clauses (1) through (3), whereinthe received data indicates that the gesture includes dragging arepresentation of a first networked audio player included in apre-existing group to a region of the touch-sensitive display notassociated with the pre-existing group, wherein the pre-existing groupincludes only the first networked audio player and a second networkedaudio player, and

wherein the controller instructs the networked audio players accordingto the gesture-indicated arrangement by:

deleting the pre-existing group; and

ceasing audio playback from the first and second networked audio player.

(11) The method according to any one of clauses (1) through (3), whereinthe received data indicates that the gesture includes a swipe across arepresentation of a first networked audio player associated with apre-existing group, wherein the method further comprises:

responsive to the receiving, instructing the touch-sensitive display toportray a selectable button within a region associated with the firstnetworked audio player; and

wherein the instructing includes, responsive to receiving an indicationthat the selectable button is selected:

removing the first networked audio player from the pre-existing group;and

ceasing audio playback from the first networked audio player.

(12) The method according to any one of clauses (1) through (3), whereinthe received data indicates that the gesture includes a splay gesture,and

wherein the controller instructs the networked audio players accordingto the gesture-indicated arrangement by:

deleting pre-existing groups, if any, associating one or more of theplurality of networked audio players together for coordinated audioplayback; and

ceasing audio playback from all of the plurality of networked audioplayers.

(13) The method according to any one of clauses (1) through (3), whereinthe received data indicates that the gesture includes dragging arepresentation of a first networked audio player not associated with apre-existing group to a region of the touch-sensitive display associatedwith a position on the display, wherein the region is not associatedwith any of the plurality of networked audio players,

wherein the associating is carried out such that the gesture-indicatedarrangement is unchanged from a previous arrangement for coordinatedfeedback, and

wherein the instructing the touch-sensitive display to portray arepresentation of at least some of the plurality of the plurality ofnetworked audio players responsive to the associating includesportraying the representation of the first networked audio player in theposition of the display.

(14) A device for arranging a plurality of networked audio players, thedevice comprising:

a touch-sensitive display; and

a controller configured to:

-   -   detect a gesture via the touch-sensitive display while the        touch-sensitive display portrays a representation of at least        some of a plurality of networked audio players;    -   associate the detected gesture with a gesture-indicated        arrangement for audio playback from the plurality of networked        audio players;    -   instruct the plurality of networked audio players to provide        audio playback according to the gesture-indicated arrangement;        and    -   display, via the touch-sensitive display, a representation of at        least some of the plurality of networked audio players including        an indication of the gesture-indicated arrangement.

(15) The device according to clause (14), wherein the controller isfurther configured to substantially continuously portray the at leastsome of the plurality of networked audio players while detecting thegesture, associating the gesture, and instructing the plurality ofnetworked audio players.

(16) The device according to clause (14) or (15), wherein the controlleris further configured to:

-   -   responsive to the gesture-indicated arrangement including        forming or supplementing one or more groups for coordinated        playback, synchronize audio playback from ones of the plurality        of networked audio players included together in the formed or        supplemented one or more groups; and    -   responsive to the gesture-indicated arrangement including        removing networked audio players from pre-existing groups, cease        playback from ones of the plurality of networked audio players        removed from the pre-existing groups.

(17) The device according to any one of clauses (14) through (16),further comprising:

an antenna for wirelessly communicating with the plurality of networkedaudio players.

(18) A method comprising:

detecting a gesture via a touch-sensitive display while thetouch-sensitive display displays a representation of at least some of aplurality of networked audio players;

associating the detected gesture with a gesture-indicated arrangementfor audio playback from the plurality of networked audio players;

instructing the plurality of networked audio players to provide audioplayback according to the gesture-indicated arrangement; and

displaying, via the touch-sensitive display, a representation of atleast some of the plurality of networked audio players including anindication of the gesture-indicated arrangement.

(19) The method according to clause (18), wherein the instructingincludes:

responsive to the gesture-indicated arrangement including forming orsupplementing one or more groups for coordinated playback, synchronizingaudio playback from ones of the plurality of networked audio playersassociated together in the formed or supplemented one or more groups;and

responsive to the gesture-indicated arrangement including removingnetworked audio players from pre-existing groups, ceasing playback fromones of the plurality of networked audio players removed from thepre-existing groups.

(20) The method according to clause (18) or (19), whereinrepresentations of the at least some of a plurality of networked audioplayers are substantially continuously displayed via the touch-sensitivedisplay while the detecting the gesture, associating the gesture, anddisplaying the representation are carried out.

(21) The method according to any one of clauses (18) through (20),wherein the associating includes:

identifying the detected gesture as dragging a representation of a firstnetworked audio player to a region of the touch-sensitive displayassociated with a second networked audio player, wherein the secondnetworked audio player is not associated with a pre-existing group, and

wherein the instructing includes:

forming a new group for coordinated audio playback including the firstand second networked audio players, and

synchronizing audio playback from the first and second networked audioplayers in the new group.

(22) The method according to any one of clauses (18) through (20),wherein the associating includes:

identifying the detected gesture as dragging a representation of a firstnetworked audio player to a region of the touch-sensitive displayassociated with a pre-existing group, wherein the pre-existing groupincludes second and third networked audio players, and

wherein the instructing includes:

supplementing the pre-existing group to include the first networkedaudio player, and

synchronizing audio playback from the first, second, and third networkedaudio players in the supplemented pre-existing group.

(23) The method according to any one of clauses (18) through (20),wherein the associating includes:

identifying the detected gesture as a squeeze gesture including multiplepoints of contact with the touch-sensitive display moving together, and

wherein the instructing includes:

combining the plurality of networked audio players in a single group forcoordinated audio playback; and

synchronizing audio playback from the plurality of networked audioplayers.

(24) The method according to any one of clauses (18) through (20),wherein the associating includes:

identifying the detected gesture as dragging a representation of a firstnetworked audio player included in a pre-existing group to a region ofthe touch-sensitive display not associated with the pre-existing group,and

wherein the instructing includes:

removing the first networked audio player from the pre-existing group;and

ceasing audio playback from the first networked audio player.

(25) The method according to any one of clauses (18) through (20),wherein the associating includes:

identifying the detected gesture as a splay gesture including multiplepoints of contact with the touch-sensitive display moving apart, and

wherein the instructing includes:

deleting pre-existing groups, if any, associating one or more of theplurality of networked audio players together for coordinated audioplayback; and

ceasing audio playback from all of the plurality of networked audioplayers.

(26) The method according to any one of clauses (18) through (20),wherein the associating includes:

identifying the detected gesture as dragging a representation of a firstnetworked audio player not associated with a pre-existing group to aregion of the touch-sensitive display associated with a position on thedisplay, wherein the region is not associated with any of the pluralityof networked audio players, and

wherein the displaying includes portraying the representation of thefirst networked audio player in the position of the display.

(27) The method according to any one of clauses (18) through (26),wherein the displayed representation includes a distinct region of thetouch-sensitive display for each of the at least some of the pluralityof networked audio players, and wherein a group associating two or moreof the at least some of the plurality of networked audio players forcoordinated audio playback is indicated by a visually apparentbackground surrounding only the two or more networked audio playersincluded in the group.

(28) A system comprising:

a plurality of networked audio players each configured to playback audiocontent according to network-delivered instructions; and

a controller including a user interface having a touch-sensitivedisplay,

wherein the controller is configured to:

-   -   detect a gesture via the touch-sensitive display while the        touch-sensitive display portrays a representation of at least        some of the plurality of networked audio players;    -   associate the detected gesture with a gesture-indicated        arrangement for audio playback from the plurality of networked        audio players;    -   instruct the plurality of networked audio players to provide        audio playback according to the gesture-indicated arrangement;        and    -   display a representation of at least some of the plurality of        networked audio players including an indication of the        gesture-indicated arrangement for coordinated audio playback.

(29) The system according to clause (28), wherein the controller isfurther configured to:

responsive to the gesture-indicated arrangement including forming orsupplementing one or more groups for coordinated playback, synchronizeaudio playback from ones of the plurality of networked audio playersassociated together in the formed or supplemented one or more groups;

responsive to the gesture-indicated arrangement including removingnetworked audio players from pre-existing groups, cease playback fromones of the plurality of networked audio players removed from thepre-existing groups.

(30) The system according to clause (28) or (29), wherein the controlleris further configured to:

identify the detected gesture as dragging a representation of a firstnetworked audio player to a region of the touch-sensitive displayassociated with a second networked audio player, wherein the secondnetworked audio player is not associated with a pre-existing group, and

wherein the controller instructs the networked audio players by:

forming a new group for coordinated audio playback including the firstand second networked audio players, and

synchronizing audio playback from the first and second networked audioplayers in the new group.

(31) The system according to clause (30), wherein the controller isconfigured to synchronize audio playback from the first and secondnetworked audio players by synchronously providing a source of audiocontent, if any, played on the first networked audio player prior to thedetection of the gesture.

(32) The system according to any one of clauses (28) through (31),wherein the controller is further configured to:

identify the detected gesture as a squeeze gesture including multiplepoints of contact with the touch-sensitive display moving together, and

wherein the controller instructs the networked audio players by:

combining the plurality of networked audio players in a single group forcoordinated audio playback; and

synchronizing audio playback from the plurality of networked audioplayers.

(33) The system according to any one of clauses (28) through (32),wherein the controller is further configured to:

identify the detected gesture as dragging a representation of a firstnetworked audio player associated with a pre-existing group to a regionof the touch-sensitive display not associated with the pre-existinggroup, and

wherein the controller instructs the networked audio players by:

removing the first networked audio player from the pre-existing group;and

ceasing audio playback from the first networked audio player.

(34) A computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executedby one or more processors in a computing device, cause the computingdevice to perform operations, the operations comprising:

instructing a touch-sensitive display to portray a representation of atleast a portion of a plurality of networked audio players;

receiving input data indicative of a gesture input via thetouch-sensitive display;

associating the received data with a gesture-indicated arrangement foraudio playback from the plurality of networked audio players;

instructing the plurality of networked audio players to provide audioplayback according to the gesture-indicated arrangement; and

instructing the touch-sensitive display to portray a representation ofat least some of the plurality of networked audio players including anindication of the gesture-indicated arrangement.

(35) The computer readable medium according to clause (34), wherein theinstructing the touch-sensitive display is carried out such thatrepresentations of at least a portion of the plurality of networkedaudio players are substantially continuously portrayed via thetouch-sensitive display during the receiving input data, the associatingthe received data with a gesture-indicated arrangement, and theinstructing the plurality of networked audio players.

(36) The computer readable medium according to clause (34) or (35),wherein the operations further comprise:

responsive to the gesture-indicated arrangement including forming orsupplementing one or more groups for coordinated playback, synchronizingaudio playback from ones of the plurality of networked audio playersassociated together in the formed or supplemented one or more groups;and

responsive to the gesture-indicated arrangement including removingnetworked audio players from pre-existing groups, ceasing playback fromones of the plurality of networked audio players removed from thepre-existing groups.

While various example aspects and example embodiments have beendisclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. The various example aspects and exampleembodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and arenot intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit beingindicated by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for arranging a plurality ofnetworked audio players according to input from controller with atouch-sensitive display, the method comprising: instructing thetouch-sensitive display to portray a representation of at least aportion of the plurality of networked audio players; receiving dataindicative of a multi-touch gesture input involving two or moreconcurrent points of contact via the touch-sensitive display;associating the received data with a gesture-indicated arrangement foraudio playback from the plurality of networked audio players;instructing the plurality of networked audio players to provide audioplayback according to the gesture-indicated arrangement; and instructingthe touch-sensitive display to portray a representation of at least someof the plurality of networked audio players including an indication ofthe gesture-indicated arrangement, wherein the data indicative of themulti-touch gesture input comprises data indicative of a splay gestureinput that removes the plurality of networked audio players from agroup, and a pinch gesture input or a squeeze gesture input that groupsthe plurality of networked audio players into the group.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the received data indicates that themulti-touch gesture includes a squeeze or pinch gesture, and wherein thecontroller instructs the networked audio players according to thegesture-indicated arrangement by: combining the plurality of networkedaudio players in a single group for coordinated audio playback; andsynchronizing audio playback from the plurality of networked audioplayers.
 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:following the synchronizing audio playback from the plurality ofnetworked audio players, receiving data indicative of the splay gesturevia the touch-sensitive display, and instructing the plurality ofnetworked audio players to revert to providing audio playback accordingto a playback arrangement employed preceding the single group forcoordinated audio playback.
 4. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe received data indicates that the multi-touch gesture includes asplay gesture, and wherein the controller instructs the networked audioplayers according to the multi-touch gesture-indicated arrangement by:deleting pre-existing groups, if any, associating one or more of theplurality of networked audio players together for coordinated audioplayback; and ceasing audio playback from all of the plurality ofnetworked audio players.
 5. A method comprising: detecting a multi-touchgesture involving two or more concurrent points of contact via atouch-sensitive display while the touch-sensitive display displays arepresentation of at least some of a plurality of networked audioplayers; associating the detected multi-touch gesture with agesture-indicated arrangement for audio playback from the plurality ofnetworked audio players; instructing the plurality of networked audioplayers to provide audio playback according to the gesture-indicatedarrangement; and displaying, via the touch-sensitive display, arepresentation of at least some of the plurality of networked audioplayers including an indication of the gesture-indicated arrangement,wherein the data indicative of a gesture input comprises data indicativeof a splay gesture input that removes the plurality of networked audioplayers from a group, a pinch gesture input or a squeeze gesture inputthat groups the plurality of networked audio players into the group. 6.The method according to claim 5, wherein the associating includes:identifying the detected multi-touch gesture as a squeeze gestureincluding multiple points of contact with the touch-sensitive displaymoving together, and wherein the instructing includes: combining theplurality of networked audio players in a single group for coordinatedaudio playback; and synchronizing audio playback from the plurality ofnetworked audio players.
 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein theassociating includes: identifying the detected multi-touch gesture as asplay gesture including multiple points of contact with thetouch-sensitive display moving apart, and wherein the instructingincludes: deleting pre-existing groups, if any, associating one or moreof the plurality of networked audio players together for coordinatedaudio playback; and ceasing audio playback from all of the plurality ofnetworked audio players.
 8. The method according to claim 5, wherein thedisplayed representation includes a distinct region of thetouch-sensitive display for each of the at least some of the pluralityof networked audio players, and wherein a group associating two or moreof the at least some of the plurality of networked audio players forcoordinated audio playback is indicated by a visually apparentbackground surrounding only the two or more networked audio playersincluded in the group.
 9. A system comprising: a plurality of networkedaudio players each configured to playback audio content according tonetwork-delivered instructions; and a controller including a userinterface having a touch-sensitive display, wherein the controller isconfigured to: detect a multi-touch gesture involving two or moreconcurrent points of contact via the touch-sensitive display while thetouch-sensitive display portrays a representation of at least some ofthe plurality of networked audio players; associate the detectedmulti-touch gesture with a gesture-indicated arrangement for audioplayback from the plurality of networked audio players; instruct theplurality of networked audio players to provide audio playback accordingto the gesture-indicated arrangement; and display a representation of atleast some of the plurality of networked audio players including anindication of the gesture-indicated arrangement for coordinated audioplayback, wherein the data indicative of the multi-touch gesture inputcomprises data indicative of a splay gesture input that removes theplurality of networked audio players from a group, a pinch gesture inputor a squeeze gesture input that groups the plurality of networked audioplayers into the group.
 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein thecontroller is further configured to: responsive to the gesture-indicatedarrangement including forming or supplementing one or more groups forcoordinated playback, synchronize audio playback from ones of theplurality of networked audio players associated together in the formedor supplemented one or more groups; responsive to the gesture-indicatedarrangement including removing networked audio players from pre-existinggroups, cease playback from ones of the plurality of networked audioplayers removed from the pre-existing groups.
 11. The system accordingto claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to synchronize audioplayback from the first and second networked audio players bysynchronously providing a source of audio content, if any, played on thefirst networked audio player prior to the detection of the gesture. 12.The system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: identify the detected multi-touch gesture as a squeezegesture including multiple points of contact with the touch-sensitivedisplay moving together, and wherein the controller instructs thenetworked audio players by: combining the plurality of networked audioplayers in a single group for coordinated audio playback; andsynchronizing audio playback from the plurality of networked audioplayers.
 13. A computer readable medium storing instructions that, whenexecuted by one or more processors in a computing device, cause thecomputing device to perform operations, the operations comprising:instructing a touch-sensitive display to portray a representation of atleast a portion of a plurality of networked audio players; receivinginput data indicative of a multi-touch gesture input involving two ormore concurrent points of contact via the touch-sensitive display;associating the received data with a gesture-indicated arrangement foraudio playback from the plurality of networked audio players;instructing the plurality of networked audio players to provide audioplayback according to the gesture-indicated arrangement; and instructingthe touch-sensitive display to portray a representation of at least someof the plurality of networked audio players including an indication ofthe gesture-indicated arrangement, wherein the data indicative of themulti-touch gesture input comprises data indicative of a splay gestureinput that removes the plurality of networked audio players from agroup, and a pinch gesture input or a squeeze gesture input that groupsthe plurality of networked audio players into the group.
 14. Thecomputer readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the instructingthe touch-sensitive display is carried out such that representations ofat least a portion of the plurality of networked audio players aresubstantially continuously portrayed via the touch-sensitive displayduring the receiving input data, the associating the received data witha gesture-indicated arrangement, and the instructing the plurality ofnetworked audio players.
 15. The computer readable medium according toclaim 13, wherein the operations further comprise: responsive to thegesture-indicated arrangement including forming or supplementing one ormore groups for coordinated playback, synchronizing audio playback fromones of the plurality of networked audio players associated together inthe formed or supplemented one or more groups; and responsive to thegesture-indicated arrangement including removing networked audio playersfrom pre-existing groups, ceasing playback from ones of the plurality ofnetworked audio players removed from the pre-existing groups.